Is turmeric the new sensitive skin saviour?

Turmeric isn’t something that springs to mind when thinking about skin soothing foods – I might reach for it when I’m making a curry, but not when my urticaria flares up!

But according to the in-the-know foodies, we should be having a lot more of this brightly coloured plant root it in our diets.

Why?

It’s all about curcumin, the primary ingredient in turmeric that’s responsible for its golden colour and has amazing anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and healing properties.

Turmeric also protects the liver from toxins, reduces cholesterol and can even help soothe an upset or irritable stomach by aiding digestion.

I try to incorporate as many anti-inflammatory and alkaline-based foods into my diet as possible, as they can be a real benefit for unpredictable skin.

Conditions like urticaria, eczema, acne and psoriasis are all inflammatory skin conditions, so by ingesting more anti-inflammatory foods you can reduce inflammation in the body, helping to keep skin calm and healthy.

Still not convinced?

The ‘turmeric trend’ has been on the rise for the last year, with Selfridges noting that their sales of the spice have gone up 15% in only one year.

It’s cropping up in all sorts of places – with chefs, food bloggers and brands getting in on the action.

The brilliant almond milk brand, The Pressery, have just released their newest almond drink which is, you guessed it, flavoured with turmeric!

How can I have it?

If possible, you should really try to get your hands on fresh turmeric as the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits are significantly reduced when it’s dried.

There are lots of different ways to enjoy it – it can be added to smoothies, soups and stews, but the most popular (and easiest) way to enjoy it is in tea.